What You Should Do As A Rape Survivor

Many survivors of sexual assault don’t know where to turn for help or what to do. You may be afraid or ashamed to talk to anybody; you may try to act as though nothing has happened.If you’ve been assaulted, you have the following options. If you choose to utilize these options, you should do so in the order listed.

Option A

Get medical attention. Even if you do not want to report this to the police, you may have injuries or have been exposed to diseases of which you are not aware. Report to the hospital emergency room as soon as possible.

If you choose to seek medical attention you should not touch anything, change your clothes, wash nor douche. If you have changed clothes, the clothes you were wearing at the time of the sexual assault should be brought to the hospital in a paper bag.

The special rape protocol that will be followed to collect evidence entails taking samples with swabs in and around the vagina, anus and mouth; combing the pubic area; collecting clothing; taking samples of hair, blood and saliva.

The hospital will check for previous pregnancy and for HIV.

Option B

If you choose to report the sexual assault.

Call the University Police or local police whether or not criminal charges will be pursued. The University Police will assist you in filing charges, if you so choose.